Songs That Make You Happy

Sometimes, when we are bogged down by the stresses of life, listening to songs and music, can elevate our mood and make us feel a lot better. There are a number of songs that make you happy, every time you listen to them, sometimes even motivating you to live life to the fullest. There are certain dance songs, listening to which you yourself feel like dancing. Then there are love songs, songs about traveling to far away places, friendship songs and songs about good old days, which invoke a feeling of nostalgia and never fail to bring a smile to our face. So, there are different songs which make us feel happy for various reasons. Scroll down for a list of songs that make you happy, for one reason or the other.

Top 10 Songs That Make You Happy

• What A Wonderful World ~ Louis Armstrong
• Never Give Up on a Dream ~ Rod Stewart
• Unbreakable ~ Bon Jovi
• It's A Beautiful Life ~ Ace of Base
• Beat It ~ Michael Jackson
• Bubbly ~ Colbie Caillat
• Pink ~ Aerosmith
• Hotel California ~ Eagles
• Don't Stop Believin' ~ Journey
• All You Need is Love ~ The Beatles

Songs That Make You Happy When You Are Sad

• Life is What You Make It ~ Hannah Montana
• Star ~ Bryan Adams
• Heart of a Champion ~ Nelly
• Macarena ~ Los Del Rio
• Whenever Wherever ~ Shakira
• What a Wonderful World ~ Ramones Cover
• Like a Rolling Stone ~ Bob Dylan
• Magic ~ Mozella
• I'm Walking on Sunshine ~ Katrina and the Waves
• Take it easy ~ The Eagles
• Perfect Day ~ Hoku
• Three Little Birds ~ Bob Marley and the Wailers
• Looking for the Next Best Thing ~ Warren Zevon
• One Love ~ Hootie and The Blowfish
• Van Halen ~ Right Now
• Livin' la Vida Loca ~ Ricky Martin
• What's On Your Mind ~ Information Society
• Do You Believe in Magic? ~ The Lovin' Spoonful
• Don't Worry Be Happy ~ Bobby Mcferrin
• I Feel Good ~ James Brown
• We Will Rock You ~ Queen
• Tom's Diner ~ Suzanne Vega
• You Light Up My Life ~ Debbie Boone
• I Had the Time of My Life (dirty dancing) ~ Bill Medley and Jennifer Warne
• On The Radio ~ Regina Spektor
• Ventura Highway ~ America
• I Made It ~ Kevin Rudoff (feat. Birdman, Jay Sean and Lil Wayne)
• Just Wonderful ~ Stevie Wonder
• Swing It Around ~ Nikka Costa
• Under the Bridge ~ Red Hot Chili Peppers
• It Was a Good Day ~ Ice Cube
• Lay Down Your Weary Tune ~ Bob Dylan
• Life (Everybody Needs Somebody To Love) ~ Haddaway
• Beautiful Day ~ U2
• Dreams Be Dreams ~ Jack Johnson
• Whisper of a Thrill ~ Thomas Newman
• Roots, Rock, Reggae ~ Bob Marley
• I'm Yours ~ Jason Mraz
• Mambo Number 5 ~ Lou Bega
• Like a Prayer ~ Madonna
• Real Love ~ Mary J. Blige
• Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Breakbeats ~ Los Campesinos
• Shout Out Louds ~ 100 Degrees
• Sexy M.F. ~ Prince and the New Power Generation
• Tom's Diner ~ Suzanne Vega
• Livin' on a Prayer ~ Bon Jovi
• Drops of Jupiter ~ Train
• Do You Remember ~ Jay Sean
• Dancing Queen ~ ABBA
• Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off ~ Joe Nichols
• Mamma Mia ~ ABBA

Songs That Make You Happy After a Break-Up

• I Will Survive ~ Gloria Gaynor
• Not Goin' Cry ~ Mary J. Blige
• Just By Myself ~ Greg Brown
• I Don't Care Anymore ~ Phil Collins
• I Can't Touch the Sun for You ~ Shel Silverstein
• I'm Walking Away ~ Craig David
• Stronger ~ Britney Spears
• I'm Movin on ~ Rascal Flatts
• How It Ends ~ DeVotchKa
• I Used To Love You ~ Johnny Legend
• I Believe I Can Fly ~ By R. Kelly
• These Boots Are Made For Walking ~ Nancy Sinatra
• Goodbye Again ~ John Denver
• Let's Say Goodbye, Like We Said Hello ~ Ernest Tubb
• You Ought To Know ~ Alanis Morissette
• My Happy Ending ~ Avril Lavigne
• Life Goes On ~ Leann Rimes

These are, according to me, some of songs that are sure to uplift your mood. Listening to them is sure to make you feel good about yourself and your life! 

How to Raise Happy Children

Before learning how to raise happy children, parents should know what exactly does happiness mean. The popular culture says that happiness is related to the amount of money a person makes, how good looking he is, how much power he has and how many people know him. On the contrary, this is not what happiness depends upon! A happy person is the one who has loving relationships, who knows how to care for other people, who can give, be responsible and is ready to compromise, if the situation demands. A person is happy when he is positive, confident and values himself as well as others. As parents, it is very important to incorporate all these qualities, in kids, right from childhood itself.

Tips on How to Raise Happy Children

Appreciation and Positivity...
Appreciate your child. If he has learned something new or achieved anything, even if it is very small, point it out and praise him. Appreciating the child and positive reinforcement goes a long way in making a child confident and happy! At the same time, do not overdo it! Do not use words like "the best" or "perfect" or "brilliant", as it will raise expectations, which can pressurize a child and cause him stress.
Allowance for Mistakes...
Tell your child that it is all right to make mistakes as long as he remembers them and does not repeat the same! Childhood is a time of experimentation. Children are up to trying all kinds of things and in the midst of it, can end up making many mistakes. Instead of scolding and criticizing the children, parents should instead talk to them about it, explain to them why a particular action is wrong on their part and that they should not repeat it. Scolding, being aggressive with the children - these are some things that parents should completely avoid as they can have an adverse effect on a child's psyche.
Secure Relationships...
Build a healthy relationship with your child. Provide him a secure family environment where love, trust, support and encouragement are visible in each and every interaction. Be the perfect role models to your child as he is watching, observing and incorporating your each and every habit. Researches have shown that the kind of relationship a child sees between his parents, he looks for similar one for himself in adulthood. So, if you and your partner are loving, the child will learn how to create nurturing relationships himself, in the future.
A Loving Family...
A touch is very important in building relationships. So, hug your child, kiss him and embrace him, to show that you truly love him. Also, take out some "family time" every day and eat together, while discussing how the day went for everyone. This will also give you an opportunity to assess whether your child is facing any kind of problems in school or how he is faring, in terms of his relationships with his peers and teachers.
The Art of Giving...
Teach your child to be "giving". You can do this by taking him to an NGO and involving him in doing something for the have-nots of the society. Let him join some charity too and help him raise funds for it. If you want to keep things simple, get him a pet or keep a potted plant on his bedroom window sill and make it his responsibility to take care of it. These are some ways in which you can teach your child not to be individualistic and self-centric, but to help others, do something for fellow beings, animals and plants, without any kind of expectation. As true happiness lies in "giving", your child will become happy from within, while caring for and nurturing, those around him.
Balancing Life...
Finding a balance in life is very important. Children should be taught this, right in the beginning itself. Parents should see to it that it is not just academics which children are involved in, but in all other activities as well, like sports, singing, dance, drama, reading, exercising, etc. Children should also be taught that their worth is not dependent on how well they are doing academically. If they are creative, helping and loving, they are as good as any distinction holder.
Finding New Passions...
Children are said to be naturally creative. So, if you want to really see them happy, provide them a creative outlet, by introducing them to either singing, writing, sports, or any other creative activity. If children are passionate about something in their life, they are much more likely to remain stress-free. This will make them happy and relaxed adults.
A Fit Body...
Healthy children are happy children. So, provide your child with healthy meals, which are preferably cooked at home. Suggest healthy food choices to your children. For instance, instead of sodas, ask him to drink low fat milk, instead of pizzas, give him fresh fruits to eat. Make most of his diet from fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats. If healthy eating habits are inculcated from childhood itself, it is much more likely that they are carried right through adulthood, thus keeping a person disease-free and happy.

As you can see, there are no fixed ways and rules with regards to how to raise happy children. Good parenting is all about being positive, giving time to your child, supporting him, being there for him and involving him in all kinds of activities which enhance his creativity, natural goodness, knowledge and intelligence.

Foods that Make you Happy

You had a bad day at the office, or had a fight with your spouse and are having a bad day? What to do? You have tried all means of entertainment also, no result. Most people also turn to food for comfort, in times of depression. Yes it's true, some super foods have the properties of antidepressants. But it's very important to know which are the foods that make you happy.

If you have a balanced diet, you are going to have good body and a good mood. But sometimes we need something more, a little extra comfort. Stress, quarrels and negativity in life, to a large extent, can actually depress you. Well, there are certain special foods that can cheer you up in this time of depression. Nutritionists have long proposed a direct relation between food and mood. Medical research also indicates that foods in our diet influences behavior, mood and overall well-being. So let's have a look at some high energy foods that make you happy.

10 Foods that Make You Happy

Chocolate
One of my favorite anti-stress foods. I think everyone in this world loves chocolates. People are just looking for excuses to have a bite. Chocolates contain anadamine, a chemical that makes us cheerful. Scientists believe that other components in chocolate help anadamine to stay longer in the brain. The sugar content boosts our levels of glucose and endorphins (another hormone which makes us happy). Don't have chocolate in excess though.

Salmon
Salmon fish is a sea of omega-3 essential fatty acids which are regarded as one of the top antidepressants in the world. No one is quite sure how it works. But according to a recent research it has been found out that, people who consume omega-3 fatty acids daily, are always in a good mood than others. Other fish which have similar effects like salmon are mackerel, eel, and tuna. All of these are also known to fight symptoms of depression, persistent pessimism and erectile dysfunction.

Bananas
I have always heard the phrase the "mighty banana" from my mother and trust me, it is. Banana has tryptophan, a protein when consumed is converted into serotonin by the body. Most of us know that serotonin is directly associated with cheerfulness. Bananas also contains carbohydrates and high levels of potassium which are good for our body. Health experts believe that banana is one of the most healthiest foods. So, include a banana in your daily diet.

Rice, Bread, Noodles or Pasta
Carbohydrates, a favorite with many. Following all these low carb diets will make you thin, but trust me they are going to pull the life out of you. Eating carbohydrates increases serotonin levels in our body which has a calming effect. Choose healthier carbohydrates like brown rice, noodles, wheat bread and vegetables. These are some of the few healthy foods that fill you up.

Bake Potato
Heat one of these high energy potatoes and it will improve your concentration to a high extent. Have baked potato with salsa and low sodium salt. This is a great snack before going for a heavy workout. It gives you the energy that lasts.

Beans and Soybeans
Beans are filled with soluble fiber, folic acid and omega-3 fats, these three ingredients work best to make your mood cheerful. Beans are also an excellent source of iron and calcium which increases the number of blood cells in the body. Soy products contain genistein which helps in preventing prostate and breast cancer. You can also have soy milk and taho, they are also excellent sources of fiber which keep you healthy and happy.

Fresh Peas
Yes fresh green peas are also one of the healthy foods that make you happy. Peas contain high amounts of folate, a nutrient which helps body to produce serotonin. You can buy fresh frozen peas for your food, but avoid the canned ones as they have a minimal quantity of nutrients left. Peas are very easily included in salads and various other gravies.

Milk or Skim Milk
Milk and milk products are rich in tryptophan. Tryptophan is an amino acid which is needed by our brain to develop serotonin which helps us stay calm and cheerful. Milk also contains antioxidants, vitamin D and vitamin B12 that helps us brain to fight stress and old age. You can also go for skimmed milk, it makes you happy and is rich in calcium.

Spinach
It's Popeye's favorite food. So, if you want to be strong and powerful like Popeye, have spinach. It is rich in folic acid which helps body to make serotonin which gives your body a feel good factor. Most kids don't like it but it's very necessary that spinach becomes a part of their diet. Eat a cup of cooked spinach to help you feel strong and full of positivity to face the world.

Blueberries
Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which are also well-known stress busters. Antioxidants help eliminate free radicals (toxins) which keep moving in our body. These free radicals cause us to age faster and harm our internal organs. Blueberries are packed with fiber which aids in good digestion. Some scientists also believe that blueberries and strawberries also prevent cancer.

So, these were some of the healthy foods that make you happy. If you really want to find healthy foods that keep you happy, then you must stop focusing on junk food and eat such healthy foods that enlighten your mind and make your day bright. Believe me, the above mentioned foods can cheer you up. Just add them to your daily diet and you will see the effects in a short span of time. 

Why Music Makes You Happy

  

Music Makes You Happy

 

Music is found everywhere, in the whistle of the winds or the rustle of the leaves; in the clouds, in the rain, everywhere in nature! Be it from any source, music does make you feel good. It refreshes your mind and makes you happy. Owing to its benefits on overall health, it is even used in treating ailments. Exposure to music in any way, either playing it or even watching someone play can make you feel happy and excited.

Music is Bliss

Many a time, a certain piece of music or a particular song makes you happy because of the memories associated with it. It's the melody or the lyrics you can very well connect to and that's what makes you happy. Similarly, your interest in a particular genre of music or your skill in playing music can be the reasons behind your happiness derived from it. What type of music makes you happy depends on your interest or expertise in one of its forms. However, what brings happiness to everyone alike, is any form of good music. The blend of melody, rhythm and lyrics in music forms the basis of why music makes you happy.

Melody and Sound
Be it of any kid, pop, dance, gospel, rock, or blues; the melody is one factor that gives immense pleasure to the ears as well as to the heart. A good example here, would be of 'The Final Countdown'. Its powerful keyboard riff creates a kind of energy in the air. Now think of a singer you like for his/her melodious voice, or think of an instrument whose tone captivates you. There's something in their tonal quality, their sound that gives you pleasure. Now consider a piece of music that pleases the heart. There's something in the musical notes, the way in which they are arranged and played, it's the magic of the composition that pours melody into music. Anything that's 'music to your ears', is melodious music and that makes you happy!

Lyrics
Music gives happiness when the lyrics of a song are encouraging. For instance, gospel music which is characterized by its inspiring words. Remember the chorus of the Van Halen song 'Dreams'. We'll get higher and higher, straight up we'll climb, we'll get higher and higher, leave it all behind. These powerful words motivate you along with the tune and the way in which they are recited or sung. There are many such songs written or composed in such a way, that you derive inspiration from them; they have the power to ward off all the blues and motivate you to start life anew.

Rhythm and Beats
What makes you dance in joy on listening to music? Well the thumping rhythm and beats give you the enthusiasm to dance and dance gives you more joy. For instance, Madonna's 'Into The Groove' has good synth bass beats that gets you in a dancing mood. And that is why songs like these are played in discotheques and dance parties. They give you the high, they give you great joy. Listening to these foot-tapping numbers, you can't help shake a leg! Beats create excitement, they increase your heart beats. No wonder you feel excited and happy on listening to such rhythmic numbers.

Now let us look at what happens in the brain when we listen to music.

Effects of Music on the Brain

Research says, that listening to music stimulates the production of dopamine in the brain. The brain reacts similarly to the sight of delicious food or anything that looks/sounds interesting. Dopamine is released even when a person just thinks of a musical piece he loves to listen to. Dopamine makes us feel motivated. This chemical binds to the dopamine receptors, and contributes to generating a feeling of happiness. This chemical is released in different areas of the brain. When a person listens to good music, more blood flows to these parts and to the nerve endings which release this chemical. It is observed that good music relaxes and opens up the endothelium of blood vessels, while listening to bad music closes the endothelium, leading to stress and mental fatigue. This is how deeply music affects the mind and brain.

Instrumental, soft and melodic tunes relax the brain and make you happy. Energetic music and fast beats make you feel excited and positive. Interestingly, both forms of music; be they numbers that make you dance, songs that make you sing to their tune, or soft musical pieces that relax your mind, all of them give you happiness. So, the next time you feel happy on listening to music, celebrate the strength it has, the strength to take you miles away to a different world where you can lose yourself to this beautiful form of art...music. 

Love Quotes by Shakespeare

Since time immemorial writers and poets have tried to capture the essence of the beautiful feeling of love in words. Love quotes or love poems are always a source of joy for those who are in love as well as those who wish to experience the beautiful feeling. Reading beautiful love quotes and poetry verses often brings a smile to our face thinking about how someone can describe our feelings and emotions with such ease and precision. When it comes to love quotes and love poems, what better option than quotes and verses written by Shakespeare, to describe this beautiful feeling of love? Here are some beautiful love quotes by Shakespeare, the creator of one of the most memorable love stories...

I'll follow you and make a heaven out of hell, and I'll die by your hand, which I love so well.

Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts.

They do not love that do not show their love. The course of true love never did run smooth. Love is a familiar. Love is a devil. There is no evil angel but Love.

Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.

Parting is such bittersweet sorrow that I should say goodnight until it be 'morrow.

When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew.

Teach not thy lip such scorn, for it was made
For kissing, lady, not for such contempt

So dear I love him that with him, all deaths I could endure. Without him, live no life.

O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love
And I'll no longer be a Capulet.

Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs

As soon go kindle fire with snow, as seek to quench the fire of love with words.

Ay me! for aught that I could ever read,
Could ever hear by tale or history,
The course of true love never did run smooth;
But either it was different in blood...

No sooner met but they looked; no sooner looked but they loved; no sooner loved but they sighed; no sooner sighed but they asked one another the reason; no sooner knew the reason but they sought the remedy.

Signs of Being in Love

Love is a holy, wonderful feeling, which is deeply rooted in your mind. It is an expression of intense feelings for another person. It makes your life cheerful and full of enthusiam. Sometimes it happens that you know a person very well. He/she is your best friend. And suddenly you start feeling that you are in love with him/her. Sometimes you get introduced to a person and as you start meeting him/her frequently, you realize that you have developed some special feelings for him/her. You experience loneliness, restlessness without that person. You don't understand what is it? It's nothing but a great, heavenly feeling what is called love.

Signs of Being in Love

Love cannot be taught. Sometimes, you are not even aware when it happens. Falling in love with someone is an exciting, wonderful experience. It may also be bit confusing, if you are unfamiliar with this experience. You don't understand what is happening with you. If you know the signs of being in love, it will help relieve your confusion and understand your inner feelings.

• When you are in love with someone, you remember him/her all the time. You go on thinking about that person and the happy moments spent together. You are not even able to concentrate on your work.
• When you are in love, everything in daily life reminds you of him/her. When you see anything or do anything, you tend to recall the related memories of the moments that you spent with him/her.
• If you concern a lot about someone, then it indicates that you are in love. You always care about his/her safety and happiness. You experience an overwhelming urge that he/she should be happy and comfortable and should not be troubled by anything. It becomes your number one priority. You always try to protect that person.
• When you start loving someone, you become more cautious about your appearance. You naturally wish that you should look more attractive to him. You become attentive about your clothes and hairstyle, so that you would get an appreciation from him/her. You look more attractive and cheerful and it's because of your romantic mood. You also try to impress him/her by updating your knowledge about the current issues.
• When you love someone, you feel that no person is more attractive than the individual you love. You even don't notice the presence of other people. Your whole attention is concentrated on that individual only.
• Now you deny spending much time with your friends. You want to spend more time with him/her. You want to be alone and think more about your special person. Even though you are surrounded by your friends, you will find yourself constantly thinking about being with someone special.
• When you find someone interesting, you wish to know more about him/her. You want to know about his interests, likes and dislikes and career. You are eager to understand every detail of his/her life. You also try to do the things that he/she likes.
• There was a time, when you were cautious about time or spending the money. But when you are with someone special, you even don't think about time or how much money you spend to buy a gift for him/her.
• Loyalty is another name for love. You want to be loyal to him/her and expect the same from that person. He/she becomes the only concerned person for you.
• When you love someone, you tend to think about his/her expectations. You think about his/her views and needs and learn to compromise.
• You share some beautiful moments with him/her. You feel happy and excited when you plan about going to a party or picnics, attending a ceremony together. You start discussing the future plans.

Enjoy Life

Everyone wants to enjoy life to the fullest, and some people do it too, the only thing is that the people who know how to enjoy life and be happy are very less in number as compared to the majority of people in the world, who are unhappy with how their life is! By this statement I am not saying that they all are miserably sad and living forcefully, what I meant was that these people are living for survival and not enjoyment. Most of those who fall into this category will not agree to that, but the fact is, that in the race of achieving success, being ahead of others, making more money than others, at some point we all realize that life is not how we wanted it, it is however, just life! Before I tell you about how to enjoy life to the fullest, I want you to read this remarkable quote that inspires me everyday to appreciate the gift of life.

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our Attitudes." ~ Charles R. Swindoll

Ways to Enjoy Life

I know, the first thing that you will expect on this list is spending a lot of money on luxuries! If you think so, then you will be surprised to know that money has nothing to do with real happiness! I agree, money is important for survival, but I somehow feel that that's how it should be! As quoted in the above saying, our attitude is the one responsible for our unhappiness. Another human tendency is greed, we have thousands of dollars but we crave for millions, we manage to get millions and then we want billions..., running to make a better life, we forget to live life. Money, after a certain point never gives happiness, on the contrary, it takes away what you have, it takes away your sense of valuing things, it makes you take things for granted and THIS is why we have forgotten how to enjoy life in the real way. So what should one do?

Be Grateful for What You Have
People tend to focus on their career, run after more money and work all the more hard. While their families look forward to spend some time with them, the weekends goes in playing golf with boss, yes, they do have a family, they are there, that's not important right now! Playing golf with boss might get them a promotion, more money! After all, they are doing the best for the family and the worst too. They are taking the most important thing in their life for granted. Yes, this would be your first step to learn how to enjoy life! The biggest mistake that we make is to take things for granted. What you need to realize is that if they are with you today, it's not necessary that they'll always be. If you analyze your life carefully, you will definitely realize what I am talking about.

Live Each Moment
Living each moment is the best way of how to be happy everyday, although, I won't blame the people who fail to do that. There is pressure - family, career, money - a lot of pressure. How do you expect us to enjoy each moment with so much pressure? Your kid comes to you to show his drawing, you are tensed, you shoo him away. What if you actually took a moment out to see what he has drawn, to see how your kid sees the world? What if you saw that drawing, praised your kid and then your kid kisses you saying 'I love you daddy'. Don't you think living that moment would have given you the strength to take the pressure, or maybe let go of it, even though it is for a few minutes? So live each moment, that's what actually counts.

Learn to Let Go
Letting go, the most difficult, yet the most important thing to be done in order to be happy and to be able to enjoy life. You can't enjoy with burdens of grudges and revenge, can you? As told by Charles R. Swindoll, "We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way", there are many people who hurt us, hurt us to such an extent that we change to a different person altogether. But why? After all, "we are in charge of our attitudes", right? Learn to let go of things by taking it as a lesson that life taught you. Very easily said, but equally difficult to do, forgiving others and letting go of negativity in your life will definitely make you enjoy your life to the fullest and focus on the more important things.

Look for The Positive Aspects
Letting go of the negative aspects and focusing on the positive aspects will make you view life with all the lessons and opportunities that it has. Every side of life has two coins, and your way to perceive it depicts how you lead your life! Read inspirational books that promote positive thinking, take great examples of people who flourished in life after great struggle and hardships. All you need to do is to believe in yourself, believe in the supreme power and believe that if life has brought you till the edge, it will either catch you when you fall, or teach you how to fly! That is why happy and optimists live longer as compared to people having a negative approach in life!

Slow Down, Life is a Journey, Not a Race
They say, "Life is a race, be quick or you will be left behind". They also say that "life consists of opportunities everywhere, you only need to widen your horizon and look closely". Reading these two statements make me wonder, if life is full of unseen opportunities everywhere, what's the harm in being left behind if that gives you happiness! Do you realize how many moments have you missed to enjoy in life just because of the fear that someone else might win the race! If racing gives you happiness, no problem, but if you are unhappy doing it, why do it?

Follow Your Passion
Continuing from the above point, if you are unhappy doing what you are doing, why are you doing it? Are you doing it because everyone else is doing it, or because it gives you more money! I follow example of the people who followed their passion and excelled in their passion to such an extent, that people started following them, money started following them! Life is so dynamic and ever changing that you never know what comes next. Sounds impractical to many people but then, what's the point of being practical if it doesn't give you happiness and doesn't allow you to enjoy life!

Spend Some Time With Nature
In our daily routine of going to work, school, colleges, meetings, etc., do you get the time to admire what is around you? The best way to find inner peace and happiness is to spend some time with nature. Just sit on the seashore and watch the waves come and go, climbing on a hill and watching the view, go fishing with your family, watching the sunrise or the sunset, seeing the stars twinkle in the night...do you know how this will help to enjoy life? It will teach you to value what you have, it will teach you to not take things for granted, it will teach you to understand the meaning of the phrase, 'This world is beautiful and so is life!'

Make Your Family Your Priority
After all, family is the most important thing that teaches you how to be happy in life, it is your own world in this world! Earning money to meet family's demands is not more important than spending sometime with your family and understanding what is it that they actually demand, is it money, or is it spending some fun time with you. I remember a story I read sometime ago, 'A five year old boy went to his father who was busy doing his office work and asked, "Father how much do you earn in an hour"? Father thought it was weird for his kid to ask this question but then he replied, "About a $100, why"? The son replied, "Father, can you give me $50?" Father got really upset for a 5 year old to ask for $50 and shouted at him asking why would he need so much of money! The son replied weeping, "I wanted to give you that $50 so that you spend half an hour with me".'

Pray
Of course you need mental strength to keep up with the challenges you face in life. If you believe in God, ask him for strength to help you enjoy your life and find inner peace, to treasure what he has given you. Trust me, prayers give you an unexplained strength to simplify the complications of life! Even God tells us the value of life in The Bible, Mathew 6:25, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?"

Enjoyment and happiness never come on a physical level, it is a mental state which comes only when you manage to take life with a positive attitude and learn the secret of happiness. How to enjoy life is not difficult, what is difficult is to learn how to enjoy life with a resistant mind. There are a lot of ways to enjoy life, but all the ways require the same mindset...a positive one. So take a break and question yourself, how do you want to enjoy your life? You get only a single life, live it before you lose it!